Drop Noseband: Snaffle Bridles with a Low-Fitting Noseband
A noseband fastened low keeps the bit steady and leaves the upper part of the head free. Here you will find snaffle bridles with a drop noseband.
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Waldhausen Ice Icelandic Snaffle Bridle with Rhinestones, black/blue
Variants from €59.57
Sale price: €60.44 Regular price: €69.95 (13.6% saved) %
STAR Bridle Hannover, Padded Noseband, Nickel Fittings, Pony
Sale price: €33.08 Regular price: €42.95 (22.98% saved)
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Waldhausen X-Line Bridle Hannover, black, Leather, Anatomical Headpiece, Cob
Variants from €60.61
Sale price: €62.70 Regular price: €69.95 (10.36% saved) Drop Noseband: a bridle with a low noseband
With a drop noseband, the nose strap runs below the bit around the lower jaw. It keeps the mouthpiece steady without an extra strap near the facial crest. It is one of the oldest types of noseband and is often used for young horses, for Icelandic horses and in classical training. Here you will find the Waldhausen Island Ice snaffle bridle, the X-Line Hannover snaffle bridle and the STAR Hannover snaffle bridle.
The right height is crucial
A drop noseband sits low, but it must never rest on the soft cartilage of the nose. There it would restrict breathing. As a rule of thumb, leave a hand's width between the nose strap and the nostrils. At the chin, the strap lies in the chin groove below the bit. You can tell a noseband is fitted too low if it moves with every breath or your horse starts to toss its head.
Which horses it suits
Many trainers value the low position because the bit lies well while the horse can still relax its jaw. With Icelandic horses the drop noseband is very widespread. For horses with a very short head, however, the space between bit and nostrils can be tight. An English noseband is then often more comfortable. If in doubt, try both types on your own horse.
Frequently asked questions
Can a drop noseband be used with any snaffle?
It works well with loose ring, eggbutt and D-ring snaffles. With full cheek snaffles or large cheeks, the strap sometimes gets in the way of the side pieces. It is best to try the combination calmly at home.
Why are so many Icelandic horses ridden in a drop noseband?
The low fit suits the head shape of many Icelandics and keeps the bit quiet in tölt. It also has a long tradition in the Icelandic horse world. Many Icelandics go just as well in an English noseband, though.
My horse snorts heavily with the noseband on. What should I do?
If the nose strap sits too low, it presses on the cartilage and interferes with breathing. Move it higher so that there is a hand's width of room to the nostrils. If the problem persists, ask your vet.
Snaffle bridles with a drop noseband
The drop noseband is one of the classic bridle types: the nose strap runs below the bit around the lower jaw and steadies the mouthpiece without putting any load on the area below the facial crest. It is popular with young horses in their early training and with Icelandic horses, where it has long been part of the tradition. On this page you will find the Waldhausen Island Ice snaffle bridle, the Hannover model from the X-Line and the STAR Hannover snaffle bridle. Getting the height right is what matters: the strap must never lie on the soft part of the nose, otherwise breathing is restricted. A hand's width of space to the nostrils is a good guide. With neatly adjusted cheekpieces, the bit lies quietly in the mouth and your horse can relax its jaw.